Shumard oak identification: leaves, bark, fruit and twigs

Shumard oak, Quercus shumardii, is a native tree in Pennsylvania. How to recognize it by its leaves, bark, fruit and twigs, and how to tell it from look-alikes.

Quick ID

Alternate, simple leaves with lobes. Leaves 4 to 7 inches long with 5 to 9 bristle-tipped lobes and notches more than halfway to the midrib. Bark: Grayish brown with dark, deep furrows and light gray to whitish ridge tops. Checked Nov. 14, 2026.

How to identify Shumard oak

Leaf type	Alternate, simple leaves with lobes
Leaves	Leaves 4 to 7 inches long with 5 to 9 bristle-tipped lobes and notches more than halfway to the midrib.
Bark	Grayish brown with dark, deep furrows and light gray to whitish ridge tops.
Fruit	Oblong acorns 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches long with a shallow scaly cap covering less than a third.
Twigs	Grayish brown hairless twigs with gray clustered buds.
Size and shape	Large oak, often over 100 feet, with a clear trunk.

From the Virginia Tech Dendrology fact sheet, in our own words.

Is Shumard oak native to Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists Shumard oak as native to Pennsylvania.

See all 140 trees, with a 4-question identifier, in our Pennsylvania tree identification guide.

Trees that look like Shumard oak

Tree	Its leaves
Black oak Quercus velutina	Alternate, simple leaves with lobes. Leaves 4 to 10 inches long with 5 to 7 bristle-tipped lobes; deeply cut in the sun, barely lobed in the shade; glossy on top.
Scarlet oak Quercus coccinea	Alternate, simple leaves with lobes. Leaves 3 to 7 inches long with very deep notches and bristle-tipped lobes; shiny green.
Northern red oak Quercus rubra	Alternate, simple leaves with lobes. Leaves 5 to 8 inches long with 7 to 11 bristle-tipped lobes; the notches only go a third to half way to the midrib.

Compare the leaves first, then the bark, fruit and twigs on each tree’s page.

Other oaks in Pennsylvania

White oak (Quercus alba), Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), Southern red oak (Quercus falcata), Bear oak (Quercus ilicifolia), Shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria), Blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), Swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii), Chestnut oak (Quercus montana), Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), Pin oak (Quercus palustris), Willow oak (Quercus phellos), Post oak (Quercus stellata), English oak (Quercus robur), Sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima).

Questions

How do you identify Shumard oak?

Look for alternate, simple leaves with lobes. Leaves 4 to 7 inches long with 5 to 9 bristle-tipped lobes and notches more than halfway to the midrib. Bark: Grayish brown with dark, deep furrows and light gray to whitish ridge tops.

Is Shumard oak native to Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists Shumard oak as native to Pennsylvania.

How big does Shumard oak get?

Large oak, often over 100 feet, with a clear trunk.

How can you tell Shumard oak in winter?

Check the twigs and bark. Twigs: Grayish brown hairless twigs with gray clustered buds. Bark: Grayish brown with dark, deep furrows and light gray to whitish ridge tops.

What tree looks like Shumard oak?

Black oak, Scarlet oak, Northern red oak. Compare the leaves first.

Sources: Virginia Tech Dendrology (Quercus shumardii fact sheet); Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, PA Vascular Plant List (native or introduced status). Checked Nov. 14, 2026.

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